“Social norms has been reset to factory settings”

I’m not sure what the above words mean or imply but I do know that we’ve all been impacted by Covid in one way or another. The city seems to be moving along albeit more slowly than usual. Sections of the city have fared better than others. In fact, it would be very easy to portray segments of Toronto as being in trouble.

Here the road is closed to vehicles for Open Streets (the last Sunday of September).


We are missing events. All those things that I like to take pictures at and blog about – the parades, the street festivals, and even the protests. With more people staying at home, no tourists on the streets, and events going virtual, it’s a much quieter city.
below: This was the last weekend of TIFF and you wouldn’t know anything was happening.

below: In past years, King Street closes for TIFF activities. This year there was none of that – no crowds jostling for a look at a celebrity or two, no booths selling things.

below: These little “patios” have been carved out of some downtown streets to help restaurants stay open during these COVID days. It’s a great idea for the warmer months. Although the city now allows propane heaters on the street, I am not sure how many people are going to want to have dinner outside in December.


below: The Royal Alex Theatre is still set up for “Come From Away”

below: A nearby restaurant still has its St. Patricks Day green on display.

below: Roy Thomson Hall in the foreground with downtown buildings in the background, as seen from Metro Hall.

below: New public art on Adelaide… this is “Dreaming” by Jaume Plensa. She’s three storeys high and I wouldn’t be surprised if she is dreaming of the days when we didn’t need masks. How long until someone gives her a mask?

below: Reflections with security guard

below: The steeple of St. Andrews Presbyterian church

below: Mother and daughter cycling together



below: The cows are still in their pasture, unfazed by the changes around them.

below: The next two photos were taken while I was standing in among the tall black towers of the Toronto Dominion Centre. The first view is to the southwest towards the CN Tower.

below: The second view is to the northeast.

below: The Canada Permanent building on Bay street is getting a cleaning.


below: This is one of the Bank of Montreal buildings, also on Bay Street.

below: Window washers

below: Pearl Street, looking east. Old brick buildings in the foreground with their modern counterparts shining in the background.

below: The west end of Pearl Street.

below: I found a person!

below: Looking north up University Avenue

below: The Shangri-La hotel and Momofuko restaurant with it’s weird sculpture “Rising” by Zhang Huan at street level (also University Ave). Masses of “peace pigeons” cover the surface.


below: Looking the other way on University Ave, south past Richmond to Adelaide and beyond.

below: Preservation of a large brick facade on Adelaide.



below: Waiting for the lights to change

below: Under the heading of “somethings never change”, there are always photoshoots in front of Osgoode Hall. Presumably this photo or one similar can be found somewhere on instagram?

below: Arranging the veil.

below: With a the pigeon by the Eaton Centre.





below: Mr. Ryerson keeps changing colour. Apparently he was more red not that long ago. Rather than remove the red paint, he was “cleaned up” by painting him this shade of green. He probably doesn’t realize it but he’s become a controversial figure. He may have been one of the first to establish public schools but he also played a role in the creation of residential schools for the indigenous population. Because of the latter, there has been some people advocating for the removal of this statue.

This statue was unveiled in 1889. It stands in front of an ivy covered building that started its life as Toronto’s first teacher’s college (1847).
below: Queen Street West

below: This yellow birdie, at least in sticker form, may be on the verge of extinction. An Uber5000 creation that can also be found on several of his murals around the city.

As I write this, the number of Covid cases in Toronto (and all of Ontario) have gone back up. Although we were hopeful that we were wrong, was there ever any question that things would get worse before they got better? Are we more complacent? Maybe. But let’s hope that we are also wiser this time around.

